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Chemistry tuition for Yusof Ishak Secondary School students
Live online Chemistry tuition for Yusof Ishak Secondary School students in secondary 3–4. Bring recent schoolwork and teacher feedback so our tutors can see where your child needs help and plan the lessons.
Secondary 3–4
Courses and years
Pure Chemistry
Years 3–4
Combined Science (Chemistry)
Years 3–4
Bring recent schoolwork and the current topic list so we can choose a suitable class.
Study guide · 01
Particles, bonding and structure: explain properties precisely
Pure Chemistry questions can ask students to connect a structure with an observable property. Identify the type of particles, how they are arranged and the forces or bonds relevant to the property. A statement about melting needs a different explanation from one about electrical conductivity, even when both questions concern the same substance.
For a simple molecular substance, distinguish the forces between molecules from the covalent bonds within each molecule. For an ionic substance, distinguish the strength of the lattice interactions from the ability of ions to move. Those distinctions prevent a correct term from being used in an incorrect explanation.
Compare two substances using the same property. Explain how each structure affects it, then describe the difference. Try the explanation aloud without notes. If you are unsure which particles or forces matter, review those first.
Study guide · 02
Chemical calculations: make each step follow the equation
Plan the calculation: convert the given quantity to moles, use the balanced equation’s mole ratio and convert to the quantity asked for. Label each substance so you can check you are comparing the right pair.
Check the conditions in the question. A gas-volume calculation needs the stated conditions or molar volume. A solution calculation needs consistent volume units. If the question supplies information about excess or limiting quantities, use it before deciding how much product can form. Select the method from the evidence given.
The task
5.0 g of calcium carbonate reacts completely with excess hydrochloric acid. Given Mr(CaCO₃) = 100 and a gas molar volume of 24 dm³/mol at the stated conditions, calculate the carbon dioxide volume. Equation: CaCO₃ + 2HCl → CaCl₂ + H₂O + CO₂.
Worked response
Amount of CaCO₃ = 5.0 ÷ 100 = 0.050 mol. The CaCO₃:CO₂ mole ratio is 1:1, so 0.050 mol of CO₂ forms. Volume = 0.050 × 24 = 1.2 dm³.
Convert the calcium carbonate mass to moles, then use the 1:1 ratio to find the carbon dioxide amount. The acid is in excess, so the calcium carbonate determines how much gas forms. Finally convert the gas amount to volume.
Study guide · 03
Connect reactions across acids, redox, energetics and rates
Reaction topics become more useful when the student can explain the same change in several ways. An acid reaction can be represented by an equation, identified through observations and used in a calculation. A redox question can ask how oxidation states or electron transfer establish what was oxidised and reduced. Keep the definition connected to the species in the question.
For energetics, track where energy is transferred and distinguish bond breaking from bond formation. For rate questions, identify the changed condition and explain its effect on relevant collisions. If a graph is supplied, distinguish a faster reaction from a larger final amount of product; they describe different features of the results.
The Periodic Table, organic chemistry and air-quality topics also need explanation and application. Use the official outcomes to choose appropriate examples. A named topic is a starting point for revision; the verbs in its outcomes indicate whether the student should recall, explain, calculate or interpret information.
Study guide · 04
Practical Chemistry: observations, data and evaluation
Practical preparation includes choosing a method, making careful observations, processing results and evaluating the conclusion. For qualitative analysis, keep the test, observation and inference as separate steps. A colour change or precipitate is an observation; the identification of a substance is the conclusion supported by it.
When evaluating an experiment, identify the actual source of uncertainty and explain how the proposed change addresses it. Repeating measurements helps examine consistency, but it does not automatically remove a systematic problem in the method. A useful improvement needs a specific reason linked to the apparatus, measurement or procedure.
We use apparatus diagrams, results and experiment questions to practise planning and data interpretation online. Bring practical feedback as well as theory papers. Hands-on apparatus work takes place through the school’s laboratory programme.
Study guide · 05
A revision sequence for Pure Chemistry in Sec 3–4
Review particles, structure, formulae and equations, then practise the calculations and reactions that use them. Use the twelve-topic syllabus to check coverage and try questions without notes to see what still needs work.
Within a topic, alternate explanation questions with calculations and data interpretation where the outcomes require them. Later, mix topics so that the student must choose the relevant idea. Review multiple-choice distractors by explaining why each alternative fails; for structured questions, check that each part of the task has been answered.
Before an assessment, practise timed sections and full papers. Note where you lose time and check the working remains clear. Tutors use those mistakes to plan lessons, followed by platform practice and spaced review. Share the subject code and examination year when arranging a trial.
Study guide · 01
Structured answers: separate an observation from an explanation
Check what the question asks for. An observation describes what is seen or measured. An explanation gives the chemical reason. A conclusion says what the results show. Answer that part directly.
Use precise language. “A gas is produced” identifies an observable change but does not name the gas. Naming a gas requires appropriate evidence or other information in the question. Where an equation is requested, confirm the substances and balance it before using its coefficients in later working.
The task
In a written experiment scenario, a gas is bubbled through limewater, which turns milky. State the observation and the conclusion supported by the test.
Worked response
Observation: The limewater turns milky. Conclusion: The gas contains carbon dioxide.
“Turns milky” is the observation. Carbon dioxide is the conclusion from that test. Keep the distinction when answering other qualitative-analysis questions.
Study guide · 02
Calculations and data questions: show a method that can be checked
Label the substance and quantity on every calculation line. Read any equation or data given before choosing a relationship. Convert units where required and show how the values connect to the unknown. Clear working makes it possible to identify whether an error began with chemistry, unit conversion or arithmetic.
For a graph or table, read the labels and units before interpreting the pattern. Describe a trend using the quantities involved, then use the relevant concept to explain it. A larger final value and a steeper initial gradient can mean different things. Give numerical evidence when the question asks for support from the results.
After checking a calculation, explain why you used those values. This helps you choose the information when another question gives it in a different order.
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Class format
Live online
Weekly duration
1.5 hours
Levels
Secondary 3–4
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2027 school year
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About Yusof Ishak Secondary School
PSLE cut-off point for Yusof Ishak Secondary School
MOE publishes the PSLE score of the first and the last student posted into each school at each posting group. Below are Yusof Ishak Secondary School's figures for the 2026 Secondary 1 intake — the 2025 PSLE cohort. The last student's score is what is usually meant by the school's cut-off point.
| Posting group | PSLE score range |
|---|---|
| Posting Group 3 | AL 7–15 |
| Posting Group 2 | AL 21–22 |
| Posting Group 1 | AL 25–27 |
Cut-off points move by a few points from year to year, and not every student who met the cut-off was posted here — some are tie-broken out. Read these as a guide to where a school sits, not as a threshold to clear.
Actual 2026 Secondary 1 intake, from MOE School Finder — last verified on 12 August 2026. MOE School Finder ↗
About Yusof Ishak Secondary School
Yusof Ishak Secondary School (YISS) is a co-educational government secondary school located in Punggol, Singapore. The school is named after Yusof Ishak, the first President of Singapore.
School Overview
Yusof Ishak Secondary School (YISS) was originally established in 1965 under the name Jubilee Integrated Secondary School, offering instruction in both English and Malay. The following year, the school was renamed in honour of Singapore's inaugural President, Encik Yusof Ishak, and was officially opened by then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on 29 July 1966 at its Jubilee Road campus. The school moved to a new campus in Punggol in 2018, marking a fresh chapter in its development.
YISS is a government co-educational secondary school that operates on a single-session schedule. The school's motto, "Pioneering as One," underpins its approach to education, which is built around the values of integrity, responsibility, respect, resilience, and care. YISS places strong emphasis on developing both learners and leaders, guided by the belief that every student has the capacity to grow.
Two signature programmes define the school's distinctive character. The Applied Learning Programme (ALP), known as S4TEM@YI, centres on STEM for Sustainability, preparing students to engage with challenges related to smart and sustainable urban living. The Learning for Life Programme (LLP), titled YI LEAD+, focuses on Community Youth Leadership, developing students' sense of civic responsibility through structured service opportunities and leadership activities.
Admission Process
Entry to YISS at Secondary 1 takes place through two main pathways: the PSLE posting exercise and the Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme.
Based on the 2025 intake, the indicative PSLE Achievement Level cut-off points for non-affiliated students were: Posting Group 3 (Express) 6 to 14, Posting Group 2 (Normal Academic) 21 to 22, and Posting Group 1 (Normal Technical) 25 to 26. These figures represent the score of the last student admitted in that cycle and may shift from year to year. YISS is not affiliated with any primary school, so there are no affiliation-based priority adjustments.
For DSA, the school accepts applications across seven talent areas: Basketball (Boys), Community Youth Leadership, Modern Dance, Robotics, STEM, Table Tennis, and Wushu. Most categories are open to both boys and girls. Applications are submitted through the MOE DSA-Sec portal, typically between May and June, for entry the following January. Selection criteria focus on demonstrated aptitude and genuine interest in the relevant area.
Once enrolled, students are placed under Full Subject-Based Banding (FSBB), which allows them to take individual subjects at different levels based on their strengths. This means students are not locked into a single stream and can pursue more demanding levels in subjects where they perform well. Families considering YISS may wish to attend the school's annual open house for a first-hand look at programmes and facilities.
Curriculum and Academic Programme
The academic programme at YISS follows the MOE national curriculum. Core subjects include English Language, Mathematics (Elementary and Additional), the Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), and Humanities (Social Studies, Geography, History). Elective subjects available include Art, Mother Tongue Languages (Chinese, Malay, Tamil, with Higher and Syllabus B options), Design and Technology, and Food and Consumer Education.
Under Full Subject-Based Banding, students can take subjects at Express, Normal Academic, or Normal Technical levels depending on individual aptitude, allowing for a more tailored learning experience. The school prepares students for the GCE O-Level and N-Level examinations.
YISS has a track record of strong value-added academic performance and was notably the first school in Singapore to top the national value-added rankings in 1992. The school received the Academic Value-Added Award (Bronze) across multiple years from 2000 to 2009 and earned the Community in Nature School Award in 2024. Students have also achieved recognition in national competitions such as the Australian Mathematics Competition.
Facilities and Co-Curricular Activities
The Punggol campus features modern facilities designed to support both academic learning and co-curricular engagement. These include smart classrooms equipped with digital learning tools, well-resourced science and computer laboratories, a library, dedicated arts studios, and a multipurpose sports complex. The campus also incorporates spaces for STEM exploration, including areas for robotics and urban farming projects, and is barrier-free accessible.
Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) are an integral part of student life at YISS. The school offers a wide range of options across four categories:
Uniformed Groups: Boys' Brigade, Girls' Brigade, National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC), and National Cadet Corps (NCC Land), which develop discipline, teamwork, and a sense of service.
Performing Arts: Concert Band, Chinese Orchestra, Modern Dance, Choir, and Art Club, providing outlets for creative expression and performance.
Sports: Badminton, Basketball (Boys), Fencing, Floorball (Boys), Netball, Sepak Takraw (Boys), Softball (Girls), Table Tennis, and Wushu, fostering physical fitness and sportsmanship.
Clubs and Societies: English Language Drama and Debating Society (ELDDS), Robotics Club, STEM Club, Infocomm Technology, Environmental Science, and Community Youth Leadership, encouraging inquiry and innovation.
Several CCAs correspond directly to DSA talent areas, offering a natural pathway for students admitted through that route.
Student Life and School Culture
School culture at YISS is shaped by its founding motto, "Pioneering as One," and by its core values of integrity, responsibility, respect, resilience, and care. The school fosters an inclusive environment where students from diverse backgrounds learn and grow together.
Class sizes typically range from 30 to 40 students. Pastoral care is delivered through form teachers and a dedicated counselling team, with structured programmes addressing well-being, anti-bullying, and resilience. Special Educational Needs Officers are available on campus to support students who require additional assistance.
Parent engagement is encouraged through the Parent Support Group (PSG), meet-the-parents sessions, and orientation programmes for incoming Secondary 1 families. The school also conducts registration webinars and provides guidance on subject choices to help students and parents navigate the transition from primary to secondary education.
The Learning for Life Programme (YI LEAD+) is woven into school life, with community service and leadership development forming a regular part of the student experience. Values-in-action projects give students structured opportunities to contribute to the wider community, reinforcing the school's emphasis on responsible citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions about Yusof Ishak Secondary School
Is Yusof Ishak Secondary School a good school?
YISS is a government secondary school with a strong value-added academic track record, signature programmes in STEM for Sustainability and Community Youth Leadership, and a broad range of CCAs. It was the first Singapore school to top the national value-added rankings and continues to emphasise holistic student development. Whether a school is the right fit depends on each family's priorities, so visiting during the open house is recommended.
Is Yusof Ishak Secondary School co-educational?
Yes. YISS is a co-educational government secondary school that admits both boys and girls under a single-session timetable.
Does Singapore officially rank secondary schools?
The Ministry of Education does not publish official rankings for secondary schools in Singapore. Schools are assessed on a range of measures including value-added performance, holistic development, and student outcomes rather than a single league table.
What are the PSLE cut-off points for Yusof Ishak Secondary School?
Based on the 2025 intake, the indicative cut-off points for non-affiliated students were: Posting Group 3 (Express) 6 to 14, Posting Group 2 (Normal Academic) 21 to 22, and Posting Group 1 (Normal Technical) 25 to 26. These figures represent the last admitted student's score and may vary each year. Check MOE SchoolFinder for the most current data.
What O-Level and N-Level subjects does YISS offer?
Subjects include English Language, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Art, Chinese Language, Higher Chinese Language, Malay Language, Tamil Language, Design and Technology, Food and Consumer Education, Geography, History, Literature in English, Humanities (Social Studies with Geography or History), and Science (Physics, Chemistry). Availability may differ across cohorts; refer to the school's curriculum page for updates.
How can students apply to YISS through DSA?
Direct School Admission applications are submitted via the MOE DSA-Sec portal, generally between May and June each year, for entry the following January. YISS offers DSA in Basketball (Boys), Community Youth Leadership, Modern Dance, Robotics, STEM, Table Tennis, and Wushu. Successful applicants receive a confirmed place before PSLE results are released.
What CCAs are available at Yusof Ishak Secondary School?
CCAs span four categories. Sports include Badminton, Basketball (Boys), Fencing, Floorball (Boys), Netball, Sepak Takraw (Boys), Softball (Girls), Table Tennis, and Wushu. Uniformed groups include Boys' Brigade, Girls' Brigade, NPCC, and NCC (Land). Performing arts options are Concert Band, Chinese Orchestra, Choir, Modern Dance, and Art Club. Clubs and societies include ELDDS, Robotics, STEM, Environmental Science, Infocomm Technology, and Community Youth Leadership.
Is Yusof Ishak Secondary School affiliated with any primary school?
No. YISS does not have an affiliation with any primary school, meaning there are no affiliation-based priority adjustments during the PSLE posting exercise. Admission is determined by PSLE Achievement Level scores or through the DSA scheme.
What is the Applied Learning Programme at YISS?
The ALP is titled S4TEM@YI and focuses on STEM for Sustainability. It integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with real-world applications such as urban farming, environmental monitoring, and smart city design to develop students' problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
What is the Learning for Life Programme at YISS?
The LLP, called YI LEAD+, centres on Community Youth Leadership. Through structured service projects, leadership training, and community engagement activities, the programme develops students' character, civic awareness, and sense of responsibility.
What are the school fees at Yusof Ishak Secondary School?
As a government school, monthly fees for Singapore citizens are typically $5 for school fees plus approximately $20 in miscellaneous fees. Permanent Residents pay around $440 plus miscellaneous fees, while international students pay between $840 and $2,000 plus miscellaneous fees depending on ASEAN or non-ASEAN status. Exact amounts may vary; use the MOE fees calculator for current figures.
What is the history of Yusof Ishak Secondary School?
The school was founded in 1965 as Jubilee Integrated Secondary School, offering both English and Malay stream instruction. It was renamed Yusof Ishak Secondary School in 1966 in honour of Singapore's first President. The school later moved to Bukit Batok in 1998 and then to its current Punggol campus. It was recognised as a Centre for Teaching and Learning Excellence in 2015.
What facilities does the Punggol campus have?
The campus includes smart classrooms, science and computer laboratories, a library, arts studios, a multipurpose sports complex, STEM exploration spaces, urban farming plots, interactive learning centres, and covered outdoor areas. The campus is barrier-free accessible.
How does YISS support post-secondary planning?
The school provides Education and Career Guidance (ECG) counselling, O-Level and N-Level preparation across a range of subjects, and experiential learning through the ALP and LLP. These support students in planning pathways to junior colleges, polytechnics, or the Institute of Technical Education. Appointments with the ECG counsellor can be arranged through the school website.
What is Full Subject-Based Banding at YISS?
Under FSBB, students can take individual subjects at more demanding levels based on their strengths, rather than being placed in a single fixed stream. This allows for personalised learning pathways leading to O-Level or N-Level qualifications.
How does the school engage parents and support the primary-to-secondary transition?
Parents are welcome to join the Parent Support Group, attend meet-the-parents sessions, and access information through the school website. For incoming Secondary 1 students, the school runs orientation programmes, registration webinars, and provides guidance on subject selection and streaming options after PSLE.
Does YISS provide support for students with special educational needs?
Yes. The school has Special Educational Needs Officers on staff and offers barrier-free campus facilities. Families can contact the school directly for information on available support programmes and allied educator services.
What is the contact information for Yusof Ishak Secondary School?
The school is located at 8 Sumang Walk, Singapore 828676. The phone number is 6500 9800 and the email address is [email protected].
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